Deadline:
March 02, 2025
Location(s)
Cambodia
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Overview
The CKS Khmer Language and Culture Program (KLCP) provides an opportunity for US and non-US faculty, post-graduate researchers, and upper-level undergraduates to participate in an intensive eight-week study abroad program in Phnom Penh and a field trip to Siem Reap, Cambodia.
The program is designed for those who wish to develop Khmer language skills and an understanding of contemporary Cambodian society for academic and professional purposes but have not completed two years of formal language training.
Depending on the applications we receive, the KLCP classes may be organized into two levels: Heritage and Beginner/Elementary. The Heritage Class is tailored for students who have learned some Khmer in their homes as children, usually from their parent(s) who is/are Cambodian. Elementary Class is designed for those with little or no previous experience. This approach ensures that instruction is customized to meet the varying levels of language proficiency among participants, providing a more effective and personalized learning experience.
Details
About the Program
Academic researchers studying and working in Cambodia need high-quality, immersive Khmer language training in the country. However, not all have completed the two years of language training required for Advanced Study in Khmer (ASK).
The CKS Khmer Language and Culture Program aims to meet that demand by providing immersive in-country Khmer language study for beginning-level students. Participants in the CKS program receive four hours of intensive language training during morning sessions and two hours in the afternoons, during which they will engage in additional language learning and practice, go on field trips, and engage in other cultural activities where their language skills can be used in real-time situations.
Program Goals
The program goals reflect CKS’s broader agenda of promoting research and international scholarly exchange through programs that increase understanding of Cambodia and its region:
- To provide in-country language training for students interested in Cambodia and Khmer Studies.
- To enable faculty, post-graduate researchers, and undergraduates to advance their level of Khmer language skills in preparation for fieldwork and study in Cambodia,
- To promote cooperation and educational exchange among individuals, institutions, and Cambodia.
Program Instruction
To ensure the quality of the program, the course will be restricted to a maximum of 8 students.
Instruction is delivered by a Cambodian instructor with experience teaching the Khmer language to adult learners and a Cambodian Teaching Assistant. The course will be held from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 13.30 p.m. to 15.30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The afternoon class might include additional language learning and practice.
Opportunity is About
Eligibility
Candidates should be from:
Description of Ideal Candidate
Eligibility (for US applicants)
- Students and researchers working or studying in social sciences, humanities, foreign languages, or area studies. *
- A faculty member at a US University or a US citizen working at a foreign university.
- A university graduate or upper-level undergraduate student (who is in the final two years of undergraduate study) who plans to teach in the social sciences, humanities, foreign languages, or area studies.
- A university graduate or upper-level undergraduate student (junior or senior) who plans to apply their language skills and knowledge of countries vital to the United States in fields other than teaching, including government, the professions, or international development.
- A teacher in an elementary or secondary school or an experienced education administrator responsible for planning, conducting, or supervising programs in modern foreign languages or area studies at the elementary, secondary, or post-secondary level.
* “Area studies” refers to a program of comprehensive study of the aspects of a society or societies including the study of geography, history, culture, economy, politics, international relations, and languages.
Who is not eligible?
- An individual who has participated in either the US/ED Group Project, Advanced Program, or Seminar Abroad Program in the past three years (2016-2018); or
- An individual who has had two awards with either the US/ED Group Projects Abroad Program or Seminars Abroad Program, unless the award was received 10 years ago.
- An individual who is currently unemployed.
- An individual who is an educated native speaker or near-educated native speaker.
Dates
Deadline: March 02, 2025
Cost/funding for participants
Tuition and Administrative Costs
US applicants holding US citizenships
CKS will cover the costs of tuition, administration, and local travel on field visits for successful applicants to the KLCP program.
As a KLCP participant, you are required to:
- Cover your international travel and living expenses, including accommodation and food throughout the program and any entry fees into Cambodia that are imposed by the Cambodian Government, including visa fees, COVID-19 tests, quarantine, etc. (if applicable)
- Have international health insurance covering their stay overseas. In addition, participants are responsible for
US Students may be eligible through their institution for a Foreign Language Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowship to help cover travel and other expenses relating to the course. To learn whether you are eligible for a FLAS fellowship, please check on the FLAS website or check with your area or language studies department at your institution.
Non-US participants are eligible to apply for our program; however, if selected, you will be required to pay a portion of the tuition fee. For detailed information regarding the fee, please email klcpfellowship@khmerstudies.org prior to submitting your application.
Un-save Opportunity
Internships, scholarships, student conferences and competitions.
